Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: different clinical and serological pattern than adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in clinical signs and symptoms, and in antinuclear antibodies (ANA), between patients with juvenile-onset and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Clinical and serological data of 56 patients with juvenile-onset SLE were compared with data of 194 patients with adult-onset SLE. ANA were determined by line immunoassay and by indirect immunofluorescence on Crithidia luciliae.


RESULTS
Renal involvement, encephalopathy and haemolytic anaemia were seen, and anti-dsDNA, anti-ribosomal P and antihistone antibodies found, significantly more often in juvenile-onset SLE. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were directly associated, and anti-ribosomal P antibodies inversely associated, with renal involvement in juvenile-onset SLE. In juvenile patients with SLE and anti-dsDNA and without anti-ribosomal P antibodies the odds ratio for glomerulonephritis was 9.00; no patients with anti-ribosomal P but without anti-dsDNA had renal involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with juvenile-onset SLE more often have renal involvement and encephalopathy than patients with adult-onset SLE. Anti-ribosomal P, anti-dsDNA and antihistone antibodies are more often found in patients with juvenile-onset SLE.
Hoffman
I E A
IE
Centre for Paediatric Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Lauwerys
B R
BR
De Keyser
F
F
Huizinga
T W J
TW
Isenberg
D
D
Cebecauer
L
L
Dehoorne
J
J
Joos
R
R
Hendrickx
G
G
Houssiau
F
F
Elewaut
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000276:immunology; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; D004247:DNA